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London’s largest motoring event was launched yesterday (18 May) in the grounds of the historic Royal Hospital, Chelsea, by one of Britain’s best loved racing drivers, Sir Stirling Moss OBE.

At the press preview for Chelsea AutoLegends – to be held on Sunday 4 September – Sir Stirling posed with Chelsea pensioners alongside the very Ferrari 250GT SWB in which he won the 1961 Tourist Trophy race at Goodwood.

But he had more fun posing with two ‘dolly birds’ dressed (just) in kinky boots and flower power mini skirts: the show has two significant themes – Le Mans and the Swinging Sixties, with visitors to the event encouraged to dress up in the fashions from the era.

“Ah, the Sixties. They were fabulous times and as for the clothes… well it’s all about spreading a little happiness. Let’s hope the sun shines on the day and there’ll be plenty of mini skirts out and about!” said Sir Stirling, the twinkle still very much in his eye.

Moss, who is Patron of Chelsea AutoLegends, is just one of the personalities who promises to be at the event. Eight times motorcycle world champion Phil Read will be there along with a host of other drivers and riders from the past.

But the cars will be the real stars. More than 30 classic Le Mans racers will be on display alongside countless other important historic machines. There’ll be displays of the brutal Group B rally cars of the 1980s, classic motorcycles and the ten most significant road cars of all times as well as 50th birthday celebrations for the two most iconic British cars of the 1960s, the E-type Jaguar and the Mini-Cooper.

There will be supercar and bike cavalcades, other special themed displays and a special tribute to the some of the British ‘Patrons’, the private race team entrants of the Fifties and Sixties, who took on the factory teams… and often won.

One of the best known was Rob Walker – the man who owned the Ferrari 250 SWB raced by Moss. “He was the most wonderful man,” remembered Sir Stirling. “In his passport, where it used to ask for one’s occupation, he simply wrote ‘Gentleman’.”

Eric Verdon-Roe, chairman of Chelsea AutoLegends, said: “Last year, we surprised many people with our inaugural event. We had more than 6,000 visitors, all of whom were bowled over by the cars, the garden party atmosphere and, of course, the setting.

“This year we aim to double that number and raise even more money for the Chelsea Pensioners. It is genuinely an event for all the family, not just for petrol heads.

“With The Royal Hospital being so close to the famous King’s Road, adopting a Swinging Sixties theme was an obvious move… there’s no obligation to dress up but we really hope visitors get into the spirit of the occasion and we see plenty of mini skirts, kaftans and bell-bottoms on the day!”

Tickets for this year’s Chelsea AutoLegends are now on sale either via the event’s new website (www.ChelseaAutoLegends.com) or from the ticket hotline on 0844 581 0760. Those pre-booking before the end of July can take advantage of considerable savings with adult tickets priced at £15 in advance rather than £20 on the gate. Underlining the event’s family entertainment values, accompanied children aged under 12 will be admitted free of charge.

Editors’ notes: Chelsea AutoLegends – patron Sir Stirling Moss – is staged on the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, on Sunday 4 September 2011. This year’s Chelsea AutoLegends builds on the huge success of last year’s inaugural show and once again will centre around a display of iconic cars that have contested the Le Mans 24 Hours, the world’s most famous motor race.

Adding to the celebrations there will be a special focus on the much-loved cars of the Swinging Sixties – a decade when Chelsea’s groovy Kings Road was the hub of global fashion, design and pop music. Chelsea AutoLegends also raises funds for Chelsea Pensioners, residents of the Royal Hospital.